{"id":20276,"date":"2020-03-03T06:59:37","date_gmt":"2020-03-03T11:59:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.playadelcarmen.com\/blog\/?p=20276"},"modified":"2024-02-02T08:40:20","modified_gmt":"2024-02-02T13:40:20","slug":"easter-in-playa-del-carmen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.playadelcarmen.com\/blog\/easter-in-playa-del-carmen\/","title":{"rendered":"Easter in Playa del Carmen Everything You Need to Know About Semana Santa (2024)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you vacationing during Easter in Playa del Carmen<\/a>?
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

Praise the lord baby Jesus – paradise awaits!<\/p>\n

With bustling crowds from around the world about to descend upon the sunny shores of the Riviera Maya for Semana Santa<\/a>, Spring Break<\/a>, and Easter<\/strong>, we’re here to inform you about some noticeable changes during this time, and how to plan around the crowds<\/strong> so you can get the most out of your trip.<\/p>\n

Here’s everything you need to know…<\/p>\n

Easter in Playa del Carmen<\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. What is Semana Santa and Pascua?<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. What can international tourists expect?<\/a><\/li>\n
  3. Best beaches to avoid crowds<\/a><\/li>\n
  4. Mexican Tourists<\/a><\/li>\n
  5. Police patrols<\/a><\/li>\n
  6. Hotels<\/a><\/li>\n
  7. Tours<\/a><\/li>\n
  8. Buses<\/a><\/li>\n
  9. Road closures<\/a><\/li>\n
  10. Shopping and Nightlife<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Remember, local knowledge is power! \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n

    Easter, more locally known as\u00a0Semana Santa<\/em><\/span> in Mexico runs from March 24 – 30\u00a0<\/strong>closely followed by Pascua<\/span>\u00a0<\/em>starting Easter Sunday running until the following Saturday in 2024.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

    This two-week celebration is undoubtedly one of the most important holidays in Mexican culture.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n

    What is Semana Santa?<\/h2>\n

    Let’s get one thing straight, Mexico as a nation celebrates Easter with PASSION!<\/p>\n

    Semana Santa is The Holy Week<\/em> beginning Palm Sunday and ending Easter Sunday<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    But Mexicans also celebrate Pascua<\/em> which starts Easter Sunday and ends the following Saturday<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    All in all, this period of celebration lasts two-weeks and is undoubtedly the most important holidays in Mexican culture<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    Schools and businesses in Mexico close during these two weeks and many families use this time to vacation for themselves, and of course, they love to come to Playa del Carmen!<\/p>\n

    I mean, who wouldn’t want to take their kids to the beach, right?<\/p>\n

    \"semana<\/p>\n

    The last days of The Holy Week are celebrated with elaborate and much-anticipated processions, ceremonies, and rituals – forget Easter Egg hunts and think more a reenactment of Jesus being crucified.<\/p>\n

    A bit grim,\u00a0 but I guess it’s educational, right *shrug*?<\/p>\n

    Back to top<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n

    What can international tourists expect?<\/h2>\n

    During Easter in Playa del Carmen, the first thing you will immediately notice is the volume of people. On average a 1\/4 of a million visitors arrive at Cancun<\/strong> airport at the start of the holidays.<\/p>\n

    So, a relaxing stroll down 5th a quiet 5th Avenue during Easter is out of the question.<\/p>\n

    There are lots of people EVERYWHERE and sometimes 5th Avenue can get SO busy, it’s actually hard to walk on.<\/p>\n

    My advice?<\/p>\n

    Pull up Google maps and explore the areas around 5th Avenue.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \"Don<\/p>\n

    Not only will prices for food, souvenirs, and shopping drop but you’ll find more quaint, quiet, and authentic spots.<\/p>\n

    EXPLORE!!!<\/p>\n

    My favorite food hang out spots for you to try include:\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n
      \n
    1. Don Chendo<\/a><\/li>\n
    2. Rey David\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n
    3. Nativos<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Don Chendo is a very casual local spot where you can enjoy the best pizzas in town!<\/p>\n

      Rey David is a charming,\u00a0 intimate, and romantic spot where you can enjoy mouthwatering Italian food.<\/p>\n

      Nativos is my go-to for refreshing smoothies after a workout. Trust me, they don’t get much better than this!<\/p>\n

      Back to top<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n

      Best Beaches to Avoid Crowds<\/h2>\n

      What about the beaches I hear you say?<\/p>\n

      Everyone that journeys to the Caribbean deserves a little rest and relaxation.<\/p>\n

      Beaches are a little fuller particularly in front of Mamitas and especially the beaches that traditionally get more national tourists and locals.<\/p>\n

      But luckily for you, we are here to point you in the right direction!<\/p>\n

      There are some beaches you can explore that are traditionally a little quieter than others.<\/p>\n

      Ahhh – bliss!<\/p>\n

      The best beaches to visit to avoid the crowds (classified information shhh) \ud83d\ude09<\/strong><\/h4>\n
        \n
      1. La Playa Xpu-Ha Beach Club<\/a><\/li>\n
      2. Beach at\u00a0<\/a>Calle 38 ( 38th<\/sup>\u00a0Street)<\/a>
        \n<\/strong><\/li>\n
      3. Coco Reef –\u00a0walk north towards 48th<\/sup>\u00a0street<\/a><\/li>\n
      4. The Beach Club at Maroma Beach (the one pictured above albeit it will be busier than it looks here during Semana Santa)<\/a><\/li>\n
      5. Casa Cenote<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        \"Maroma<\/p>\n

        Of course, we can’t always guarantee this as it changes year on year but the spots listed above are definitely a great place to start. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

        Back to top<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n

        National Tourists<\/h2>\n

        If you lived in a bustling city, got two weeks off at Easter and lived in a gorgeous country lined with the Caribbean ocean, where’s the first place you would go?<\/p>\n

        The beach of course!<\/p>\n

        I am surprised the highway from Mexico City<\/strong> can handle all the traffic because this is where most of the Mexican national tourists come from during this time.<\/p>\n

        They bring a lot of business but the locals are very different to these tourists. The people of Playa del Carmen are very relaxed, laid back and down to earth.<\/p>\n

        \"Mexico<\/p>\n

        But the tourists from Mexico City often bring a city attitude which has been given the expression \u201cmi rey<\/i>\u201d meaning \u201cmy king<\/i>\u201d and suggests that these people think they deserve to be treated better because they are wealthier<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

        You can spot them a mile off because they are usually dressed in collared polo shirts, shorts,\u00a0and loafers.<\/strong><\/p>\n

        Most Mexican nationals visiting Playa come from:<\/strong><\/h4>\n
          \n
        1. Mexico City<\/a><\/li>\n
        2. Veracruz<\/a><\/li>\n
        3. Chiapas<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Back to top<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n

          More Police Patrols<\/h2>\n

          With the increase of people in the area and busier hustle and bustle of the Playa del Carmen, it’s no wonder the police step up their patrols<\/strong> during this time.<\/p>\n

          You will see 3 times the amount<\/strong> of patrol cars than you would normally. But don’t be alarmed…<\/p>\n

          \"Police<\/p>\n

          If anything, this should reassure you that more safety precautions are in place to keep things running smoothly.<\/p>\n

          Things usually go very well this time of year except for the occasional fight between drunks or taxi drivers.<\/strong><\/p>\n

          Just keep your wits about you and drink responsibly.<\/p>\n

          Back to top<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n

          Hotels<\/h2>\n

          While this is an absolutely fabulous time of year to visit if you haven’t already booked your hotel, I would advise doing so quickly or consider revising the dates of your trip.<\/p>\n

          I wouldn’t be surprised if ALL the hotels are full at this stage.<\/p>\n

          To save disappointment we advise that our customers try to book way in advance.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

          Prices will tend to be higher<\/strong> during this time, as well as occupancy levels.<\/p>\n

          Lower end hotels and apartments generally do see more of a boom<\/strong> because of the national tourists so if you’re thinking of an all-inclusive getaway and you afford the price tag you won’t notice the rush as much.<\/p>\n

          Our Travel Specialists here at PlayaDelCarmen.Com are a local team of travel agents here on the ground in sunny Mexico.<\/p>\n

          We regularly inspect<\/strong> and stay at our listed hotels<\/a> to ensure they meet our standards.<\/p>\n